PM speaks about Georgia’s visa liberalisation at Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation

Georgia’s Prime Minister has delivered a poignant speech about Georgia’s democratic future at the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung foundation in Berlin in front of German politicians, experts and journalists.

The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung is Germany’s oldest political foundation that supports and strengthens the core ideas and values of social democracy: freedom, justice and solidarity.

Speaking to dozens of guests, Georgia’s top official spoke boldly of Georgia’s strategic friendship with Germany, Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, Georgia-Russia relations and about the implemented and planned reforms to support Georgia’s democratic development.

In his opening remarks Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said it was an honour for him to speak at the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung foundation, which was a standard bearer for the core ideas and values of social democracy: freedom, justice and solidarity.

He then went on to note Georgia celebrated its 25th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union, and while the country was proud of its achievements, authorities were aware "there is still much work ahead”.

Kvirikashvili thanked Germany for its support of Georgia, noting Germany was one of the first countries to recognise Georgia’s independence and offer assistance to help the country achieve genuine progress in a whole range of directions.

Our choice to follow #EU & #EuroAtlantic integration path is irreversible.#Georgia's history and future is #EUropeanpic.twitter.com/HxWP6oSwba

— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) June 16, 2016

Through Georgia’s continued efforts and the support of foreign allies Georgia "has been transformed into a modern, democratic and dynamic state”, said Kvirikashvili.

We promised ourselves to be a role model in the region, despite internal and external challenges.”

He stressed Georgia had made "substantial progress” in its human rights track record and significantly strengthened freedom of expression and freedom of the media.

Our commitment to freedom of expression will be crucial this year as we look ahead to the Parliamentary Elections in October, which we aim to make the most transparent and fair in Georgia’s history.”

While speaking about the progress made, Kvirikashvili said the World Bank assessed Georgia as "one of the easiest countries to do business” and the country enjoyed the "ninth lowest tax burden in the world”.

PM stressed Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspiration was supported by 80 percent of  the Georgian population. Photo by Prime Minister's webpage. 

My Government has adopted a Four Point Reform Agenda designed to ensure long-term sustainable development and inclusive growth,” the PM added.

The Georgian top official then went on to talk about Georgia’s visa liberalisation. "The choice to follow the European and Euro-Atlantic integration path is irreversible … and we hope there will be no further delays to visa liberalisation”.

He stressed Georgia’s the European future was supported by the Georgian people and he mentioned a survey by the US National Democratic Institute that revealed more than 80 percent of the local population supported Georgia’s European vision and the country’s chosen path.

But just as support is high in Georgia, so are our expectations. Georgian citizens cannot be left to feel their European dream is faltering,” Kvirikashvili said.

For visa liberalisation with the EU, as with NATO integration, clear progress must be delivered from the European side for us to sustain the momentum for reforms,” he added.

We hope there will be no further delays to our visa liberalisation process. Georgia has not only completed, but in many areas gone beyond the already stringent requirements of the European Commission in order to ensure there is no risk of irregular migration or abuse by criminals.”

Georgia’s PM said it was no secret that any perceived failure on that path will be used by anti-Western forces as an argument against Georgia’s European integration process.

PM said Georgia had high hopes over visa liberalisation and upcoming NATO summit. Photo by Prime Minister's webpage. 

About the upcoming NATO Summit next month in Warsaw, Poland, Kvirikashvili said Georgia needed "a strong show of support from our close allies to push forward Georgia’s case for membership”.

At Warsaw we seek political support and reconfirmation of the irreversibility of Georgia’s integration process – as well as a deepening and reinforcement of practical cooperation with Georgia.”

Kvirikashvili concluded by saying: "We are European and we hope that we will be fully welcomed and allowed to contribute to the European family.”

Georgia’s PM is on a two-day official visit to Germany, accompanied by a high level delegation. Yesterday he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other officials.

Kvirikashvili’s Germany trip was scheduled to end later today.